1. Financial fraud is a crime; call your local police department.
   • TransUnion Fraud Assistance Department 800-680-7289
   • Equifax Fraud Assistance Department 800-525-6285
   • Experian Fraud Assistance Department 888-397-3742
2. Contact the fraud units of all three credit bureaus. Ask them to "flag" your account, which tells creditors that you are a victim of identity fraud. Also, add a victim's statement to each of your credit bureau reports that asks creditors to contact you in person to verify all applications made in your name. Call the fraud units of the credit bureaus at:
3. Call the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft hotline at 1 (877) IDTHEFT. The hotline is staffed by counselors trained to help ID theft victims. Check out the FTC Web Site, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/, which includes an Identity Theft Affidavitto help simplify the process of clearing up accounts opened by an identity thief.
4. Notify your banks. They can help you obtain new account numbers for all of your checking, savings and other accounts. Be sure to pick a new PIN number for your ATM and debit cards. Close all of your credit card accounts and open with new account numbers.
5. Notify the Postal Inspector if you suspect mail theft - a felony.
6. Depending on your situation, you may want to contact the Social Security Administration to get a new Social Security number. Their telephone number is 800-772-1213. You also may want to contact your telephone, long distance, water, gas and electrical companies to alert them that someone may try to open an account in your name.
7. Finally, make sure to maintain a log of all the contacts you make with authorities regarding the matter. Write down each person's name, title, and phone number in case you need to re-contact them or refer to them in future correspondence.

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